The Jill Effect's Fundraising Page

Thanks to the efforts of Jill's brother, Jeff, and Uncle Jon riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge, proceeds from the first annual Jill Effect Golf Tournament, and generous gifts made by our dear family and friends, we are pleased to share that over $440,000 has been raised to support Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) research under Suzanne George, MD.

What exactly is the Jill Effect?

Cultivating deep and dynamic friendships:
Jill had a close circle of compassionate, bright, and engaged friends. That circle had circles and those circles had circles - they were fluid, open and always expanding - something like the universe. Whether you texted with Jill every day or connected every six months, she was right there with you, all the time. And for those good friends she is present today. That is the Jill Effect.

Connecting and acting in the world:
Jill would have an intense conversation with a man on an airplane and invite him for a visit to Nepal, and he'd go! She'd meet Buddhist nuns in Burma during a ten-day silent meditation retreat and become lifelong friends. She cared about the rights of women, in particular the rights of immigrants, and started a Women's Workers Cooperative - Si Se Puede - in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Today that core of women has grown from 15 to 75 strong. That is the Jill Effect.

Gratitude for the creative forces of the five senses:
Jill's life was a spice rack of colors, flavors and culture. From the far corners of the world, to the corner dumpling shop, Jill delighted in, celebrated, and shared delicious foods, artisanal crafts, fierce fashions, and people's stories. Her travel and adventures, and the pleasure she took in every encounter, was only matched by her delight in sharing the experience with others - a smile, a knowing wink, a conspiratorial nod of the head. Jill lived several lives in the course of her 40 years. Jill was an intrepid traveler and polyglot. Jill's appetite to connect with people led her to learn Chinese, Nepali, Spanish, Hebrew and smatterings of many other languages, including her own frequent made-up words and phrases which have worked their way into the lexicon of her many friends across the world.

In September of 2012, Jill was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) - a very rare cancer. She died on June 8, 2013. She is missed dearly even as her laughter, wit, sweetness, and love remain a constant companion in the lives of her friends and family.

We are starting a research fund in Jill's honor to improve the capacity of doctors to identify and treat this disease in its earliest stages. Dr. Suzanne George will be heading the research team. There is currently no reliable pre-operative diagnostic techique identifying LMS for patients. With sufficient investment, new models will be created to ensure more accurate identification of patients at risk for harboring LMS, which will inform optimal surgical approaches.

We wish Jill had access to such early identification.

Jill's spirit remains present in our lives like an infinite sun, emanating light, joy, comfort, and warmth. We want to honor Jill by ensuring others have access to this critical screening, to ensure their unique effect in the lives of their family and friends has the opportunity to shine on.

We thank everyone who knew and loved Jill and for your support during Jill's journey with cancer. Each of you, in your own way, has taken us and all of Jill's "people" into your hearts.


Margie and Buzz Birnbaum


Should you wish to make a gift by check, please make your check payable to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, listing "The Jill Effect Fund" in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Elizabeth Patterson
Division of Development & the Jimmy Fund
10 Brookline Place West, 6th Fl
Brookline, MA 02445


About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute:

Dana-Farber provides expert, compassionate care to children and adults and is home to groundbreaking cancer discoveries. Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars through thousands of community efforts to advance Dana-Farber's mission.

Thank you for supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund's mission to conquer cancer. All gifts to this Giving Page will support the lifesaving work being done every day at Dana-Farber.